Rob94hawk

iTrader: (1)

I bolted the heads down months ago with ARP bolts and only ARP ultra lube. I remember being told a while ago by a few people that I should be fine. I was very generous with the lube but now I'm having doubts.

I'd rather re do it now while the engine is on the stand than start it up and have cooland pissing all over the place. The block was tanked, new head gaskets and the heads were milled 0.001".

Thoughts?..........

shbox

IDK, thread sealant for the head bolts is pretty important, IMHO.

Lawhead

iTrader: (14)

if its on a stand do it

take you what 20 mins?

speed_demon24

iTrader: (6)

You'll be fine as long as you don't mind coolant seeping past your head bolts into your oil.

food nd cars

Don't tell me your serious.

OP most definitely put thread sealant on each head bolt sfter cleaning them off eith brake clean. You will thank me later.

xdeified

Even if it was going to be ok, I would do it just to have peace at mind.

riceburnerZ28

iTrader: (20)

I wish I had used thread sealer instead of anti sieze years ago...I could've saved a couple dollars!

v7guy

iTrader: (1)

pull it apart and use the sealant. it's better than the alternative

RamAir95TA

iTrader: (2)

I can't believe anyone would says that installing head bolts without any type of thread sealant is a good idea. That's absolutely MORONIC.

You've got sizable bolts extending into the water jacket with fairly coarse threads - you absolutely need thread sealant on them, no questions asked.

Unbelievable.

wrd1972

iTrader: (12)

Looks like that moronic comment got deleted by the poster. I was eager to post my canned response to such bad advice, "step away from the toolbox NOW".

great421

iTrader: (1)

OP - They are right, and my GM service manual confirms it.

My apologies - original post deleted.

I'll only say that my vehicle has not had any oil / coolant mixing issues over the last 15 months... (yet?)

quik95lt1

iTrader: (7)

yep rtv all the bolts........many people say the top ones dont protrude into the jacket but many blocks do......the material is so thin in that specific spot that some break through and some dont........all of mine do......rtv all of them

Jpack

iTrader: (12)

I prefer to use a sealent Ford makes. That way there is no chance. I had to tear apart my friends car because the basic arp stuff didn't hold and ruined his day. He had head studs for what its worth.

96capricemgr

iTrader: (1)

If you have your oil tested for coolant I would pretty much guarantee you have a problem, just not severe enough to make a milkshake and make it obvious.

Far as some folks saying lube only is OK I can only guess that is because on some newer engines the bolts do not hit water and people confuse applications.

SoxXpupPeT

iTrader: (34)

pull them out and put sealant on them.

Rob94hawk

iTrader: (1)

Thanx guys. I'm glad I thought of this before I put the engine back in.

Now, to do this the right way, is it lube on the top part of the threads and sealant on the lower part?

defaultexistence

iTrader: (11)

Yes lube up top and seal bottoms,may be able to do one at a time and not ruin your head gaskets in the process since you won't be separating the heads pressure from the gasket surfaces that way..

SexyTransAm

iTrader: (6)

lol

Rob94hawk

iTrader: (1)

That would really suck if ruined the head gaskets. They were a pain in the *** to get a hold of.

trilkb

iTrader: (4)

What he said. Peace of mind is something that doesnt come easy when your rebuilding an engine. those first couple thousand miles are filled with hopes and prayers (even when your not religious lol) when you know you forgot to do something. Starting that engine and knowing everything was done right helps alot.